08.01.

1324 – Death of Marco Polo

Marco Polo spent a long time in prison in Genoa, and dictated the stories from his famous journey to a colleague named Rustichello da Pisa.

This day in 1324 marked the death of the famous medieval travel writer and explorer, Marco Polo. According to some theories, he was born on the Croatian island of Korčula, where a family named Polo still resides. When he was 17, Marco set off on a voyage to Asia, where he spent 24 years before returning home. He crossed a total of around 24,000 kilometers. When he finally returned, he settled in Venice, which was at that time at ware with Genoa. Marco Polo even participated in a battle between the Venetians and Genoese which took place near Korčula. His galley was lost and he was captured and taken to Genoa as a prisoner. There he spent a long time in prison, and dictated his experiences from his famous journey to a colleague named Rustichello da Pisa. The book which thus appeared was called “Il Milione” (The Million, sometimes called The Travels of Marco Polo). Marco Polo died shortly after notarizing his will, through which he left his money to his successors and freed a “Tatar” slave, who may have accompanied him on his travels through Asia.